text: The Giants got a short-handed opener through player-coach Derrick Walser but Jeff Dimmen pulled the Panthers level.
  In the second period Mike Forney's powerplay breakaway goal make it 2-1 with Andy Bohmback equalising.
  Mike Radja scored from an acute angle and James Desmarais made it 4-2 before Nottingham's David Ling got one back.
  The teams meet again on Saturday night in the second match of their double-header.
  Nottingham lead the league on 28 points, with Sheffield Steelers on 27 and Belfast 25.
target: The Belfast Giants shaded a 4-3 win over Nottingham Panthers on Friday night to close the gap on the Elite League leaders to three points.